Over at Dictionary.com, the following is offered as a definition of a committee:

“A group of people officially delegated to perform a function, such as investigating, considering, reporting, or acting on a matter.”

I’d like to make this disclaimer: I am not anti-accountability, but I am anti-committee when the committee tries to rule.

And now, my two quick stories to illustrate why I feel this way.

In all but one church that I can recall, I’ve seen committee members try to provide vision (the Pastor’s role, and not a committee member’s duty); try and impose uninformed rules and stipulations (the role of the ministry leader, not a committee member’s duty); limit the ability of pastors to perform in their gifting and stifle the growth of ministry. This is not often done with malice, but instead out of good intentions executed poorly.

The vast majority of the time these committees are made up of very well-intentioned people who try to help but are ill-equipped to promote healthy oversight and direction to a ministry. Specifically, I’ve seen some of the worst decisions made in Building Committees (new/retrofit construction) and Personnel Committees. To be fair, these folks are working from their experiences outside of the church in their business and personal lives. It’s not necessarily fair to point the blame at them for making poor decisions when they’re made out of ignorance. But it is fair to say that if you’re working in a mode of ignorance then you should find the best, most qualified counsel (and that may not be local to you) and filter your ignorance through the sieve of their expertise so that the refined process yields better decisions.

My second story is based on my personal experience of working for an unbelievably gifted teaching pastor and an equally unbelievably ego-centric boss. I loved my pastor and hated my boss. The problem was that both were the same man. In this instance, the lack of accountability (either in an Elder Board or in the form of committees) was a major reason that this particular pastor fell hard and nearly wiped out a church in the process. During my tenure at this church (4 years), I saw decisions made that were not filtered through any kind of expertise or research. Instead, I watched ego make some horrendously bad decisions. This church needed an Elder Board in the worst way.

So with both sides of the proverbial coin now exposed, let’s talk about how a committee should work with a Communications and/or Tech Arts ministry leader.

Investigating
One of the best values a group of committee members can bring to a ministry is when they use their personal and business sphere of influence and their network of contacts to help investigate new methods, technologies and budgets. Staff and volunteers need the help of these (hopefully) wise people to give us counsel, offer us their network of contacts and provide us with their findings in areas where we need help and growth. A ministry leader would be foolish not to work with these folks in researching the needs, costs and benefits of new growth areas in their ministry areas.

For example, if your ministry is looking at adding a large format, six-color UV printer, it would be wise for the committee to research what kinds of leasing options are available, what kind of soft costs (ink, supplies, maintenance, etc.) need to be considered and perhaps even find out what members of the church do large printing on a regular basis. Staff don’t always have the time or expertise to make these kinds of contacts or know how to best work a business deal. That’s where the wisdom of the committee can be very valuable.

For new construction, committees need to know where to turn for expert advice beyond that of their local architect or design/build contractor. It’s great to have those local contacts, but it’s even better to pull from the experience and expertise of those who have greater experience than most local contractors can provide. Researching other churches that have built similar facilities, talking with leaders at these churches about their experiences and asking what they’d do different is a major part of the research that must happen before the first set of drawings is completed.

Remember, good stewardship has a whole lot less to do with how much money is saved and a whole lot more to do with how much money isn’t wasted.

Considering
Evaluation might be another way of describing this role of a committee. If the church decides to go on TV, what kind of equipment cost, expendables costs (tapes, software upgrades, shipping costs, etc.) and personnel costs will the church incur? What kind of benefits would the church receive from upgrading the analog mixing console to a larger digital console? Who will spend the time necessary to edit the videos that are desired for the latest push for weekly taped testimonials? What kind of money would be spent in outsourcing printing versus hiring staff and leasing equipment to handle it within the church?

These decisions require the investigation phase described above, but also require the further step of taking the time to personally look at (if possible) and compare side by side (if possible) the options available to the church.

Committee members should also provide a third-party perspective since we as staff and volunteers are often so close to what we do that we develop “blinders” that limit our overall big picture perspective. Consideration and evaluation will include talking with the ministry leaders to understand the purpose, benefits and challenges of introducing new formats, technologies or personnel through new initiatives.

Reporting
I rarely see a documented report from a committee team. They might bring some typed up notes of some of their initial research (budget numbers are the usual fare) but fail to organize and articulate their investigation and evaluation when it comes time to make a decision.

I see this as a huge missed opportunity. Knowing what a church wants to do, why they want to do it, who will do it, when it will be done (including frequency) and what kind of expectation they have in mind are critical questions to ask. This really should be a step that the committee should go through before they bring their findings to the staff, because it’s not enough to discuss what other churches do, or even the costs until the committee has completed a formal report.

In addition to being more thorough and organized, the committee is demonstrating to the staff and volunteers that they have a keen interest in seeing the ministry succeed and expand.

Finally, committees need to understand that they are servants under the leadership of the senior pastor. They are facilitating the ministry of the church by offering their skills, time and ability to the local church through the steps I’ve outlined above. Whenever a committee sees itself as a governing body, Biblical submission is out of whack and the ministry of the church will be limited by the glass ceiling of ignorance or egos.

In my travel and consulting with churches, I’ve had the chance to see a lot (hundreds) of varying denominations (and non-denoms). Across the board, I have to tell you about two things that discourage me in most (90% or more) of these churches: a notable lack of an intentional and friendly hospitality ministry.

When I first drive up to a church campus, I start looking for the most important first impressions: happy, welcoming people! If they’re not in the parking lot waving me in and helping out, I feel as though I’m going to be the outsider that isn’t welcomed. Let’s face it, unless there’s plenty of easy-to-read signage, I won’t know where to park.

• Will there be first-time visitor parking?
• How will I find it?
• If I have kids, how can I park near the preschool/children’s areas.

The best churches make it easy for a first-time visitor to get help and feel welcome. A dozen people in the parking lot wearing matching shirts or bright parking vests will not only guide me in, but will let me roll my window down and ask questions. These churches will even have a sign near all parking lot entrances that says “First Time Guests please turn on Hazard Lights”. Then it’s obvious to the parking attendants who is new and needs extra attention and preferred parking spots.

And how about parking for single parents near the children’s buildings? And for rainy days, why not have an umbrella patrol that helps get these single parents out of the car and under a covered walkway or into a building while using an oversized umbrella with the church logo on it?

After getting out of my car I want to have greeters at the doors who can help me get to where I need to go, whether that’s dropping off my kids or finding the auditorium. And it won’t hurt my feelings if a hospitality volunteer offers me free coffee, lemonade or even a bottle of water while I make my way around the building.

When I reach the auditorium, I want an usher who’s not just handing out the bulletin/worship guide but who makes eye contact and says “hey, thanks for coming!” or “welcome to (church name here)” or “we’re glad to see you today”.

After having 3-5 people welcome me with great first-touch, first impressions, I’m in a more relaxed state of mind and probably more receptive to participate.

How does your church prepare for first-time visitors, single parents, parents with kids and handicapped parking? How you answer those questions is unique to your church, community and culture; but the questions must still be answered!

I may be just old enough to remember this, but there used to be commercials from E.F. Hutton that said “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” Today, one of the guys that has quickly earned that reputation with me is Allan Kelsey, a former pastor who now consults with churches and organizations.

I first met Allan at Gateway Church where we both serve on a leadership advisory group for one of the ministries of the church. He said something profound in that meeting that impacted me: “Culture always wins.” In just one meeting, I knew this was a guy I’d like to get to know and made a point of connecting with him frequently afterward!

I tend to resonate with only a few people; it’s an instant connection that just happens on rare occasion. Allan is one of those people. I’m promoting him on my blog because I believe so strongly in his leadership and authority that I want my church friends to know about him and his company, Leading Leaders.

Here’s a snippet from his website that I believe authentically summarizes his work:

“Leading Leaders’ primary focus is to create dramatically improved performance and life satisfaction for people, by helping them understand who they are first and then where they are gifted. Then turning those abilities into their strongest contribution to the world, work, passions and life.”

I recommend following Allan on Twitter: (@AllanKelsey) and subscribing to his E-Newsletter. He can help your church understand how to leverage the talents and unique identity & gifting of your staff. He’s someone I listen to – I recommend you do the same.

Years ago I met William Hendricks, co-author of “Why You Can’t Be Anything You Want To Be” and was hooked on two simple truths:

God created me uniquely different on purpose.

Focus on my strengths; manage my weaknesses.

In a society that focuses on conformity and averaging, this book opened my eyes to the possibility of changing how I learn and grow. One of the main premises is that our education system teaches us to work on improving in areas where we are weak. So, if a student routinely gets A’s in History and Language Arts but consistently only delivers C’s in Math and Science, our educators teach us to bring those C’s up to B’s. However, there’s nothing wrong with an average grade in a subject where you’re – well, just average. Instead, build on the areas where we have natural gifting and strength so that we can highlight what makes us unique.

Soon after, I read the second work “Now, Discover Your Strengths”. The focus on maximizing my existing strengths resonated deeply with me, allowing me to become extraordinary in areas where I’d naturally been very good. The book didn’t ignore my weakness; it simply taught me how to keep them from become obstacles to growth.

Years later I took the Clifton’s Strengths Finder test. The results, in combination with the Myers Briggs assessment (ENTJ for me), helped me focus on how to leverage my personality, traits and strengths. More recently, I met Allan Kelsey at my church. Allan is a gifted consultant who has a ginormous knowledge around strengths research. Allan encouraged me to take the new Clifton’s Strengths Finder test (available only through the book “Strengths Finder 2.0″ by Tom Rath). Now at 38, the results were slightly different than they were in my early 30′s.

The built-in, customized report that’s generated from www.StrengthsFinder.com was eye-opening. Here’s a bit from each of my top 5 strengths.

Strategic – People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues. You can present your ideas in a reasonable, sequential, and methodical way. Moreover, you generate lots of options for others to consider. Because of your strengths, you are innovative, inventive, original, and resourceful. Your mind allows you to venture beyond the commonplace, the familiar, or the obvious.

Ideation – You refuse to be stifled by traditions or trapped by routines. You probably bristle when someone says, “We can’t change that. We’ve always done it this way.” Instinctively, you welcome opportunities to understand people one by one. The hope of discovering a new way of thinking motivates you to read a lot.

Activator – Your straightforward explanations and stories help listeners see you as you see yourself. You reveal your strengths and limitations. You are forthright and plainspoken. Instinctively, you regularly energize people with your ideas about what can be changed or done better.

Relator – Because of your strengths, you are known for making unintelligible or complex ideas, plans, procedures, or regulations easy to understand. It’s very likely that you find it easier to befriend people when they tell you what they want to accomplish. When you can share information that helps people move closer to their goals, you understand each other better. By nature, you may be determined to share some of your knowledge, skills, or experiences with people.

Competition – Because of your strengths, you rely on reason to make sense of facts, events, people’s behavior, problems, or solutions. Instinctively, you peruse books, publications, documents, or Internet sites to gather information and collect insights. This knowledge often gives you the edge you need to produce better outcomes or scores than anybody else can.

Previously, I’d not had the Activator category (it was Command). Reading through the Activator, I instantly understood how this explains my overwhelming desire to tell stories in order to drive home a point. Taken as part of the whole, I’d say that this is a hyper-accurate view of my top strengths. My next step is to find ways to build upon them through my interactions with people. I’m excited to put a renewed focus on these descriptions and learn from my friend Allen Kelsey as he helps me work through the implications and processes necessary to yield substantial growth.

If you’ve taken the new Strengths Finder 2.0 test, tell me your top 5 strengths and how you’re building upon them.

“It’s time to tighten things up.”

“Show me a new budget with only the needs, not the wants.”

“How can we save money on technology this year?”

If I were to poll, I wonder how many of you working in churches have been hearing questions and statements like the ones above? Based on emails I’ve received and countless blog posts I’ve read, the common theme is a reduction in expenses across most church ministries. Yet I’m also hearing and seeing church leaders requiring budget reductions without the required reduction in expectations to match the new, lower budgets.

“It’s the economy, stupid” are now famous words by James Carville, the former campaign manager for the Clinton administration. So much of the American psyche is built upon such phrases as consumer confidence and market fluctuations. We’re conditioned to think along the bull or bear market concepts and act accordingly.

While I’m all for being responsible and conservative as a general rule of thumb, I also can’t stop reading story after story and truth after truth in God’s Word how He is Jehovah-jireh, or “God the provider”.

Possibly my favorite lesson in God’s total provision was in taking care of the entire nation of Israel as they wandered the desert.

According to the Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1,500 tons of food each day (which is 3,000,000 lbs!). To bring that much food each day would require two freight trains: each a mile long – which is a lot of donkeys back in that day. So God provided Manna in the morning and Quail to fly in and then simply die in the afternoon, ready to be cooked!

Also keep in mind that they were out in the desert, and sand doesn’t make very good cooking material, so they would have needed firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take about 4,000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. And just think – they did this for 40 years (146,000 days).

They would also need water. If they only had enough to drink it would take 11,000,000 gallons of water each day. Add some more freight trains with tank cars spanning a few miles, every day. God had Moses strike a rock with his staff to make water burst forth – in a desert!

One more thing: each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required. That’s a total of about 750 square miles, and they somehow all were able to have daily access to food and water.

(paraphrased from Lane Palmer – website link no longer active)

And in all of this, there He was: Jehovah-jireh.

The first lesson is this: We rely on God. Alone. Period.

Our second lesson is this: Plan and look at ways to be wise with the monies God has entrusted your ministry with, but also plan on God showing up and meeting your needs. Set a budget and stick to it as much as you are able within your spending and planning. But don’t take God out of the equation.

The final lesson is this: Don’t worry. Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Research guru George Barna’s firm (I also recommend him as an author – see “Revolution” for a great read) has published part two of a three-part series studying the effects of the economy on local churches. The study focused on 1,114 pastors and church executives and was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2009. So far, the results are not only interesting, some are flat-out surprising.

According to the research, “nearly half of church leaders (45%) said they had not (emphasis mine) made any changes to their ministry as a result of the economic problems of the last year.” The remaining 55% have reduced spending, cut staff, reduced missions giving, and/or reduced facilities budgets.

• About 20% of the pastors surveyed have cut budgets, while only 2% to 3% said they “were watching spending, conserving more, shopping for better deals, eliminating non-essentials, freezing portions of the budget and re-evaluating vendors”.
• “About one out of every six churches (18%) indicated that they had to eliminate positions, reduce salaries, rely on more volunteer time, and cut hours from full-time to part-time.”
• “…nearly one in every 25 churches said they had reduced their giving to missions or missionaries.”
• A mere 3% of those surveyed reduced facility budgets.

Doing Less vs.  Doing Differently

The “easy fix” is to simply do less; whether that’s less staff, less programs or less budget – the first response is to make cuts. There’s nothing wrong with tightening the financial belt, but cuts alone won’t provide the church with the leverage to ramp up once the economy turns around.

I thought that David Kinnaman, President of the Barna Group, concluded his thoughts brilliantly as he talked about the challenge of not merely doing less, but doing things differently.

In the past year, most churches have been satisfied to tie down loose financial ends and keep costs under control. That has been no small feat for most organizations, let alone donor-driven congregations. Yet, the surprise is how few churches seem to have clearly and intentionally developed a proactive response to the downturn.

When pastors were asked to identify the changes they had made as a result of the economic downturn only about one out of every eight church leaders (13%) identified what might be described as activities that proactively position the church as a valuable resource to churchgoers and to those in the community.

For instance, many churches understandably have put off purchasing new equipment and technology. Yet less than one-half of one percent of the churches we interviewed said they upgraded their use of technology in order to help cut down on costs or to maximize communication and reach. Some churches were naturally deferring building projects and facility-related expenditures, but virtually none of the leaders we interviewed said they were rethinking whether the future of congregational ministry required or could even sustain their current campus, much less planned facility expansions. And while some churches have offered resources, training and assistance specifically in response to the economic crisis, it is surprising that so few pastors had made strategic shifts to become a significant and vital resource to their congregants and to the broader community. Like so many others, church leaders have been focused on surviving; now is the time, though, to calibrate ministries and strategies to the opportunities brought by the new economy. (David Kinnaman, The Economy’s Impact on Churches (Part 2 of 3): How Churches Have Adapted)

Having worked with churches on the big three areas of consulting (people, process, technology), I’m in complete agreement with David’s assessment. Change is hard. Aligning your people, processes and technologies can make the difference between doing less and doing things differently. It’s harder than only making cuts, but the results are far more effective.

In addition to David’s suggestions, how would you (or has your church already done) help churches think different instead of/in addition to doing less?

Today I’m taking one quote from pastor Alan Smith of my church (Gateway Church, Southlake, TX) and giving my thoughts on how it impacted me. I then recommend you go and read his entire post – it’s only four paragraphs, but wow are they incredible! Without further ado, here’s what Alan wrote that hit me dead center:

“God knows that changing my circumstances will not change me and his objective is the transformation of my heart and mind. Though he cares about my circumstances, he’s aware that the strategic target of his powerful voice needs to be internal, not external. If his desire is to transform me so that I can become the person I was created and redeemed to be (thank you Bob Hamp), and if transforming my circumstances will not accomplish that goal (which it won’t), then it only makes sense that God is primarily interested in talking to me about the stuff on the inside of me, more than the stuff on the outside of me.” – Alan Smith

Holy smack! That’s good stuff!

I’ve been talking to Father and doing a lot of listening to understand my circumstances. It’s not that God isn’t interested in answering me, but rather that he knows what needs to change is inside me, not around me. I just can’t tell you how impactful that message was to me.

Go and read the entire post over on his blog, “Changing My Mind”. I know Alan personally and can tell you this guy is the real-deal and truly loves the Lord. Thank you, Alan!

This is it: my new Blog! I wanted a new, more streamlined interface and have thoroughly enjoyed using WordPress for my E-book blog (twitterforchurches.com/blog), so I’m glad to have the power of what I think is the best blog platform for my readers here on AnthonyCoppedge.com.

You’ll notice that none of my old blog posts are located here. That’s for two reasons: 1) My old blog doesn’t allow me to export posts and comments and, 2) the permalinks used by thousands of other bloggers to link back to posts I’ve done would be forever lost. So, we have a best-of-both-worlds solution: An online archive (anthonycoppedge.com/blogs) and the new Blog 2.0!

I’d like to thank my Twitter friends @mediapeople (who also did the E-Book layout & design) and @evancalkins for making the new blog and website possible. They really helped me out!

Go ahead and put the RSS feed into your favorite blog reader and stay up-to-date with the thoughts, opinions and passion that spill forth onto my electronic pages!